𝑩𝑼𝑹𝑵 𝑭𝑶𝑹 𝒀𝑶𝑼 | Maelea Velaryon x Rhaenyra Targaryen

[005]

—MAELEA FOLLOWED RHAENYRA AS THE TWO MADE THEIR WAY into the castle. She wasn't looking forward to seeing Daemon, she was sure he'd gloat as he so often did and make remarks about how he got with Rhaenyra, but aside from Daemons insufferable company she was excited to see Jace and Luke.

"Mother!" Luke's voice exclaimed as Rhaenyra came through the doors to the main hall.

Rhaenyra smiled, "Did you miss me my sweet boy?" She asked, opening her arms for her son who ran into her embrace.

"I did." He replied.

Jacaerys sights went almost instantly to Maelea who gave him a nod of acknowledgment. "Hello young prince." She said.

"Aunt Maelea." Jacaerys replied in greeting, making his way toward Maelea with a small grin on his lips, he was glad to see her.

"Your mother was right, you've both grown so much since I last saw you." Maelea said.

Jacaerys smiled a little more now, "Indeed we have, and you look rather the same." He teased.

Maelea chuckled, "More or less I suppose." She said, giving Jace a light slap on his shoulder playfully.

Jace's lips parted to speak again, but he was cut short by the voice Maelea dreaded to hear the most. "I wondered when you'd show yourself around here." Daemon said as he made his way into the hall, a smug look on his face.

Maelea turned her body to face him, her hands placed on her lips. "Been missing me Daemon?" She teased with a smirk.

Daemon scoffed, "On the contrary, I've rather enjoyed not seeing your face. My life has been rather well since you've been gone. I have a beautiful wife, four healthy and growing children, all of whom are future dragon riders." He stated proudly.

Rhaenyra rolled her eyes in amusement at Daemons words, she expected no less from her husband. Maelea knew Daemon would bring up his marriage with Rhaenyra, he'd waited six years to begin gloating about it.

Maelea narrowed her eyes upon Daemon, "By the looks of you I wouldn't say your life has been entirely well. You've gotten.. how should I say it? Old, or is Ugly preferrable?" She remarked.

Daemon moved toward Maelea, stopping only inches away from her, his eyes looking down upon her with distaste. He towered over her by quite a lot, but that didn't intimidate her. She knew Daemon was all bark when it came to arguing with her. They respected each others abilities enough not to ever raise hands, insulting words would always suffice.

"The only one old looking here is you. The cellars haven't treated you well." Daemon replied, his smirk appearing again as he gestured to how skinny and sickly Maelea was.

Maelea scoffed, "And I'd still be able to kick your ass." She stated, knowing well that she couldn't, especially not in her condition, but it was always fun to throw around the prospect of her superiority over Daemon, as ridiculous as it was.

Daemon chuckled, "The only way your kicking my ass is if I bend over and allow you to." He stated.

Rhaenyra had to step between the two, putting a hand on each of their chests and gently pushing them apart. "I believe that's quite enough." She said, looking at Daemon with a serious expression.

Daemon was silent a moment, debating whether or not he should listen to his wife or not. After a minute he let out a low grunt before turning on his heels and disappearing from the hall.

Rhaenyra then turned back to Maelea, pulling her hand away from the girls chest, much to Maelea's disappointment. "I apologise for him." She said.

Maelea brushed it off with a chuckle, "Don't worry about it Princess, it was rather refreshing to get back that part of my life." She assured before looking at Lucerys with a smile. "I remember when you were but a small, nervous little boy. Now look at you, and your brother, you'll be taller than me soon enough." She said to Luke. Jacaerys was already superior in height compared to her.